France: Camping and Road Trip Guide

France is one of the most beloved camping destinations in the world — and for good reason. No other country combines such diverse landscapes with such a dense, well-organized network of motorhome facilities. From the rugged coastlines of Brittany to the lavender fields of Provence, from snow-capped Alpine passes to Atlantic surf towns and medieval villages, France is a paradise for road trippers.

With more than 8,000 official campsites, France hosts Europe’s largest camping culture. Add to that over 4,000 Aires de Camping-Car (designated motorhome parking areas), and you get one of the best and easiest countries on earth to explore in a campervan or motorhome.

Whether you love wild coastlines, vineyards, mountains, historic châteaux or gourmet food — France offers endless routes, excellent infrastructure, and a travel rhythm that feels slow, scenic and deeply enjoyable.

2.1 With Your Own Motorhome

Most travelers arrive via:

• Belgium or Germany → Northern France (Lille, Metz, Strasbourg)

• Spain → Occitanie or French Basque Country

• Italy → Alps or Provence

• Ferries from the UK or Ireland

Roads are modern and well-signposted. French highways (“Autoroutes”) are excellent — but many sections are toll roads.

2.2 Ferries to France (from the UK & Ireland)

All ferries accept motorhomes.

3.1 Documents

EU/EEA citizens:

• ID card or passport

UK travelers:

• Passport valid 6 months (post-Brexit)

• Max 90 days in 180 days

Pets:

• EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate

• Rabies vaccination

• Microchip

3.2 Blind Spot Warning Stickers for Motorhomes Over 3.5 t

Motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 tons must display “angle morte” (blind spot) warning stickers on both sides and the rear of the vehicle. These are mandatory when driving in urban areas.

You can buy these stickers:

• online

• at French petrol stations near the border

• at major automotive stores (Feu Vert, Norauto)

Campers under 3.5 t (including all standard campervans) do not require these blind-spot stickers.

Driving in France is relaxed outside cities. Rural regions offer scenic roads through vineyards, mountains, coasts and forests.

Road Types

• Autoroutes (A-roads): Perfect condition, mostly tolled

• National roads (N-roads): Fast, wide, toll-free

• Departemental roads (D-roads): Scenic, narrower, perfect for slow travel

Toll Roads

Motorhomes pay a higher class (Category 2).
Payment: credit card, cash, or telepeage tag (electronic toll device).

5. Camping in France

France is one of the easiest, most welcoming countries in Europe for motorhome travel. No other nation combines such a dense camping network, a unique system of official motorhome stopovers, and a culture that genuinely embraces camping. Whether you prefer full-service seaside resorts or quiet rural places surrounded by vineyards, France makes road-travel wonderfully simple.

5.1 Campsites — Over 8,000 Across the Country

France has the largest and most diverse camping network in Europe, with more than 8,000 campsites to choose from. The variety is enormous:
• large coastal resorts with pool complexes, kids’ clubs and restaurants
• charming camping municipals run by local towns — inexpensive, clean, authentic
• family-run farm and vineyard campsites
• glamping resorts with wellness areas and luxury cabins
• remote mountain campsites with panoramic views of the Alps or Pyrenees

Most campsites come with spotless sanitary buildings, electricity, fresh water, laundry rooms, bakeries or small shops, and often a pool. On the Atlantic coast and in the south, many sites feel almost like holiday villages with cafés, beach access, entertainment and rental services.

Typical Prices
• Low season: 15–30 €
• High season: 30–60 €
• Premium seaside resorts: 60–90 €+

During July and August, booking ahead is essential — these months are extremely popular with French families.

5.2 Aires de Camping-Car (Aires)

👉 This is what makes France truly special for motorhome travelers.

An Aire de Camping-Car is an official, often municipal motorhome stopover designed specifically for short stays. They exist everywhere — in tiny villages, at marinas, next to beaches, beside rivers and castles, and even in mountain regions.

Aires typically offer:
• dedicated motorhome parking
• wastewater & toilet cassette disposal
• fresh water
• electricity (often)
• toilets (sometimes)
• low-cost or free overnight stays

Prices
• Many Aires are completely free
• Standard Aires cost 3–12 €
• Premium Aires with electricity cost around 10–18 €

Aires feel a bit like wild camping — quiet, scenic, often close to nature — but they are fully legal, designated places, created specifically for motorhomes.

They allow total flexibility: you can travel without reservations, stop spontaneously wherever the day takes you, and stay close to villages and nature without entering a campsite.

This system is one of the main reasons France is considered a motorhome paradise.

5.3 Private Micro-Campsites (Farms, Vineyards, Country Homes)

In addition to official campsites and Aires, France has thousands of small private micro-campsites. These include:
• vineyards offering overnight stays among the vines
• farm camps with fresh produce and animals
• country estates with a handful of shaded spots
• rural gardens or orchards opened by local families

Many works as follows: they allow campers free overnight stays on farms and vineyards in exchange for respectful behavior (and often the chance to sample or buy local wine, cheese, honey or olive oil).

These micro-campings are peaceful, welcoming and deeply authentic — perfect if you prefer quiet, natural places rather than large commercial campgrounds. They are especially popular among long-term travelers and anyone wanting a deeper connection with rural France.

France has Europe’s best campervan infrastructure

Water & Waste

• Every Aire: V+E (dump station)

• Also available at:

  • marinas

  • fuel stations

  • many supermarkets (e.g., Intermarché)

  • campsite

Gas

France uses its own gas bottle system.
You cannot exchange German/UK bottles — but you can refill LPG tanks at many stations.

Groceries

France has excellent supermarket chains:

• Carrefour

• Intermarché

• Super U

• Leclerc

• Lidl

Fresh produce at local markets is exceptional.

Food to try

• Crêpes & Galettes

• Cheese (local varieties everywhere)

• Fresh seafood

• Baguette & pastries

• Wine — superb value

France is a mid-priced travel destination compared to other Western European countries.

• Campsites: 15€ - 90 €

• Aires: 0€ - 18 €

• Diesel / Gasoline: mid-to-high EU range

• Tolls: expensive on long autoroute journeys

• Restaurants: moderate to pricey

Groceries are excellent quality and fairly priced.

France is a wonderful motorhome destination, but you must remain alert, especially when choosing overnight spots. Most rural areas are peaceful, yet certain regions — particularly large cities and motorway corridors — have seen cases of break-ins targeting motorhomes.

A few important things to keep in mind:

Staying on motorway rest areas overnight is not recommended.
There are repeated reports from travelers about thefts on service areas along busy autoroutes, especially near big cities and holiday routes. Some people even report incidents involving so-called “sleeping gas”, claiming that thieves use it to incapacitate travelers at night. Although authorities have never officially confirmed widespread use of such gas, these stories circulate often enough that it’s wise to take them seriously and avoid sleeping on motorway rest stops altogether.

If you need to stop, it is always safer to:

▶ drive a few kilometers into a village and park there
▶ choose an Aire de camping-car, a campsite, or a marina parking
▶ avoid isolated rest areas or dark industrial zones

To protect your motorhome, many travelers use visible deterrents, such as:

– a sticker indicating the presence of a camera or alarm
– actually installing an alarm system
– keeping valuables out of sight
– locking all doors from the inside at night

These small measures significantly reduce the likelihood of any unwanted attention.

With sensible precautions, good planning and the right overnight choices, France remains one of the most enjoyable and comfortable motorhome destinations in Europe.